Belarus Increases Domestic Seed Ratio to 68%
· Tarım Pusulası
Belarus is reducing its foreign currency dependency on global companies and climate-induced yield risks by raising the share of domestic seeds in grain and canola production to 68%.
Strategic Independence in Domestic Seeds
According to data from the Scientific and Practical Center of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus for Agriculture, the utilization rate of domestic plant varieties in grain and canola production in the country reached 68% last year. Sergey Kravtsov, General Director of the Center, stated that the development of domestic varieties plays a critical role in reducing strategic dependency in agricultural production. Belarus aims to reduce foreign currency expenditures for imported seeds and food costs by developing alternatives to the seed and crop protection technologies of companies like Bayer, BASF, and Syngenta in the global market.
Mandatory Three-Year Tests
Every new plant variety bred in the country undergoes mandatory state tests for three years before being put into field production. For a variety to be registered, it must demonstrate superior agricultural performance compared to existing varieties in use. Comprehensive trial processes are conducted at RUP "Shipyany-ASK", five different experimental stations affiliated with the National Academy of Sciences, and leading agricultural enterprises in the country. This strict oversight mechanism ensures that only high-yielding and quality lines are included in agricultural production.
Climate Resilience and Yield
Among the primary goals of Belarusian breeders is to alleviate the pressure of weather conditions on the final harvest. Specifically, seed lines resistant to May frosts, as well as spring and late summer droughts, are being developed. General Director Sergey Kravtsov stated that thanks to comprehensive measures ranging from genetic studies to agricultural chemistry, the dependency of yield on adverse weather conditions has been reduced from 95% to 40%. This significantly prevents yield losses caused by climate-related factors.